The UK Club’s Loss Prevention department, together with Hellenic War Risks and Terra Firma Risk Management, have produced a guide for seafarers, which explores the background of Piracy and armed robbery and explains what happens during a kidnap. It also provides some insight into the training available for shipping companies and crews.

BIMCO, ICS, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO have jointly released an updated version of ‘Guidelines for Owners, Operators and Masters for Protection Against Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea Region.’ This document now supersedes the previous guidance for the region.

UK Club’s Loss Prevention department provides practical guidance to Members in relation to piracy in West Africa. There has been a sizable shift in pirate activity, from Somali to West Africa, and an increase in incidents ...

An updated edition of the International Group FAQs on Piracy is set out below. These FAQs have been extended in response to the greater incidence of piracy and other violent crimes against ships and seafarers off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The text has also been refreshed to update references to the latest editions of advisory material as well as developments in regulatory and contractual arrangements. These FAQs have been issued by the other International Group clubs. If you have any enquiries regarding this material please refer them to your usual Club contact in the first instance.

The International Group FAQs address questions such as do armed guards prejudice P&I cover and what are 'weapons of war'. Contractual questions relating to armed guards and charterers and issues on general average and ransoms are also covered here.

A recent case saw one of our Member vessels hijacked twice within a ten week period. On both occasions the ship was loaded with a cargo of petroleum and was drifting off Lagos waiting her turn to lighter. Acts of...

This pdf document "Interim guidance to UK flagged shipping on the use of armed guards to defend against the threat of piracy in exceptional circumstances" sets out the UK government’s policy on the use of armed guards onboard UK ships and the exceptional circumstances under which their use may be considered.

When the International Maritime Organisation met back in May it approved proposed interim guidance to owners and operators for the use of armed guards on board ships in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The recommendations...

From the 1st April this year a new agreement in respect of seafarers’ pay and compensation for service in the area off Somalia takes effect. Discussions between the ITF and the Joint Negotiating Group of employers’ associations during the course of March arrived at an agreement to maintain the existing High Risk Area off Somalia and create a new Extended Risk Zone into the Arabian Sea and north Indian Ocean.

Doubled wages and compensation whilst transiting the original 'High Risk Area' remain. In this new Extended Risk Zone, each seafarer will be entitled to a double wages / compensation on any day during which the vessel is attacked. However, seafarers will not have the right to ask to be repatriated prior to entering or whilst transiting the Extended Risk Zone. The Club is seeking clarification whether the POEA have amended their Board Resolution No. 4, Series of 2008, dated 7/10/08.

This was spotted on one of our members vessels. Good anti piracy frames that slot into pre-fabricated brackets by the ships rails.(pic no.3) These frames can be made on board the vessel at little or no expense by...

This latest work in Munich Re’s knowledge series has been written as a contribution towards the international debate on this topical issue. Piracy – Threat at sea provides a risk analysis of the danger emanating from piracy and marine terrorism and explains the legal position at national and international levels. It highlights underwriting aspects and describes ways of minimising the risk.

The International Group clubs have been co-ordinating Members queries on piracy issues through their Maritime Security subcommittee. The most frequently asked questions have been collated into the following guidance note. This guidance note provides general clarification and guidance on a number of issues raised recently concerning insurance cover arising out of piracy incidents, for example, the engagement of on board unarmed or armed security personnel.

While a vessel was at anchorage off Lagos recently, the Master reported to the correspondent that he had been contacted by people purporting to be the agents, advising that they would be boarding. When these people arrived they were accompanied by several others, alleging to be police officers and dressed accordingly. The "police officers" proceeded to accuse the vessel of illegal bunkering and eventually drew their firearms with which they threatened the Master and crew and demanded money. The Master, fearing for both his own safety and that of the crew, was forced to give the men about $2,500 before they would agree to leave the vessel.

The SSA have advised their Members to inform their masters to take necessary precautionary measures when their ships transit the waters where the attack took place. They have also requested them to report to SSA any cases where they become victims of an attack."

The Association has just made available, to Members trading in the Gulf of Aden area, “Piracy –The East Africa/Somalia Situation” a booklet aimed at providing practical information to assist seafarers faced with piracy. Members should contact their Club representative for copies.

The International Group clubs have been co-ordinating Members queries on piracy issues through their Maritime Security subcommittee. The most frequently asked questions have been collated into the following guidance note.This guidance note provides general clarification and guidance on a number of issues raised recently concerning insurance cover arising out of piracy incidents, for example, the engagement of on board unarmed or armed security personnel.

IMO

This document is largely based on the Guidelines to Shipowners developed by the Industry. Some parts of the Liberian submission and the Norwegian War Risks Insurance Association have also been added to the Interim Guidance.